Message from the ChairCity of Buckeye Mayor Jackie Meck

As we close out the year, the MAG Economic Development Committee (EDC) continues to focus on regionalism and collaboration. Working together, we can make a greater impact on our future. This month's meeting discussed the importance of outreach and identifying community values when it comes to transportation. In addition, we saw how true collaboration can strengthen the region through the Greater Phoenix Smart Region Initiative. We saw how we can gain strength from each community's assets. I look forward to future partnerships and successful endeavors in the coming year.

EDC Meeting Summary for November 6, 2018

Greater Phoenix Economic Council—Growing Smart City Projects

The Greater Phoenix Smart Region Initiative is a public-private nonprofit partnership that includes the Arizona State University Center for Smart Cities and Regions, the Arizona Institute for Digital Progress, the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC) and MAG. MAG joined the Smart Region Initiative as a key partner and member of the Executive Team. GPEC Senior Vice President, Strategy and Research Director Stephane Frijia provided an overview of this initiative. MAG's role will be to host the data related to the project, as well as assist with data collection and analysis. The Smart Region Initiative highlights the region's legacy of collaboration to build a system that strengthens and enhances existing smart city approaches. The goal is for the region to develop a set of standards and practices that enable testing, best practice sharing, procurement, and implementation. The initiative is a membership-based consortium of public and private partners developed with the goal of stimulating technological innovations. This includes research, pilot projects, and technical assistance to improve efficiency, enhance resident well-being, and solving complex problems facing the region.

On September 28, 2018, the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (AZHCC) hosted DATOS: The State of Arizona's Hispanic Market breakfast, which marked the 22nd annual edition of the single most comprehensive report on the economic impact of Arizona's Hispanic population. Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Vice President Monica Villalobos provided an overview on this year's DATOS edition. The AZHCC, along with Vitalyst Health Foundation, have incorporated a new approach that highlights elements of a healthy community. The elements included are topics that range from parks and recreation to transportation options. Some key takeaways from this report were:

U.S. Hispanic buying power will reach nearly two trillion dollars by 2022.

Arizona is among the nine U.S. states that have Hispanic population over 1 million.

Since 2002, Hispanic-owned businesses have more than doubled.

In Arizona, female Hispanic firms are growing at a rate of 116 percent, higher than the rate for all firms.

Update on Proposition 400 Extension Tasks

Transportation is crucial to Arizona's economy and its residents. MAG continually works with its partners to identify transportation investments that support residents, employers, and the economy. The regional transportation sales tax, Proposition 400, expires at the end of calendar year 2025. MAG staff provided an overview on the upcoming effort to extend Proposition 400. MAG developed a timeline for the upcoming planning phases. The current Foundation Phase includes a values mapping exercise that will identify regional shared values that respond to peoples' priorities. This exercise will include community outreach activities, online and in-person focus groups, and a public survey. The next phases are Analysis and Development. The final plan would be taken to the voters as a proposition, most likely in the year 2022.

Mexico City Delegation Trip

With over $15 billion in trade, Mexico is Arizona's top trading partner. Mexico City has one of the world's fastest-growing economies and one of the most important cultural and financial centers in the Americas. Similar to the Greater Phoenix Region, Mexico City thrives due to the services and commerce industries. The MAG EDC is planning a delegation trip to Mexico City on February 20-22, 2019. Vice Mayor Luna provided an update on the planning of this trip. The objective is to meet newly elected officials, business leaders and take part in a cultural tour.

Next Meeting

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The Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) is a Council of Governments (COG) that serves as the regional planning agency for the metropolitan Phoenix area.

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